Unfortunately for thrill-seekers, having an injury or medical condition can negatively—or even dangerously—affect certain activities, which is a real shame. If this applies to you, it’s best to research potential risks before trying new experiences. In fact, some medical conditions may prohibit activities like bungee jumping.
Bungee jumping isn’t inherently dangerous, even with lumbar or cervical issues, but each operator has its own rules based on the bridge’s characteristics, always prioritising the jumper’s safety.
When bungee jumping, you won’t feel a sharp jerk since the ropes are already taut. This means you won’t experience a true free fall but will instead enter a pendulum swing immediately after jumping. However, if you have a back injury or pain, don’t overlook these key precautions to avoid further harm:
- The bridge’s underside shouldn’t have a steep downward protrusion. If it does, and the anchor/launch point is above it (especially near the edge), the ropes won’t follow a straight path. Even if pre-tensioned, they may slacken slightly in the first 2–3 metres, causing a brief "free fall" before the pendulum begins. To minimise any resulting jerk, technicians often advise jumping forward forcefully, reducing or eliminating the free-fall phase and transitioning smoothly into the swing.
- The harness used must be a full-body harness—never a waist-only climbing harness. Alternatively, a chest harness can supplement a waist harness. (We always use dual full-body harnesses.) A full-body harness distributes tension evenly across the waist and chest. Waist-only jumps carry a high risk of back injury, especially for beginners.
- Jump facing the bridge, back to the void, leaping as far backward as possible while staying vertical. Head-first jumps (with waist/chest anchors) increase risks, as this technique is more complex and demands greater bravery—often leading to injuries or discomfort (e.g., rope strikes, genital collisions).
- If using two or more ropes (standard practice), only the main rope should be fully tensioned; the safety rope(s) must be 1–2 metres longer. Tensioning all ropes maximises total force upon landing. Dynamic ropes elongate proportionally to load, so doubling ropes reduces stretch but increases jerk.
Assuming the above (which any reputable operator should strictly follow), bungee jumps are typically gentle with minimal jerking, making them suitable for most people. If unsure, always consult a professional to ensure all safety measures are met for such an adventure.
Now that you know bungee jumping is perfectly safe—even with back pain—what’s stopping you? We’ve made it easy: just click here to explore all bungee jumping offers across Spain.
